Land Acquisition – Brewster County - Approximately 50 Acres at the Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area

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Commission Agenda Item No. 4
Presenter: Jacob Aston

Action
Land Acquisition – Brewster County
Approximately 50 Acres at the Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area
November 5, 2026

I.      Executive Summary: Staff requests authorization to acquire approximately 50 acres near the Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA) from a willing seller. This tract would add operational and research value to the WMA.

II.     Discussion: Elephant Mountain WMA consists of 23,147 acres within the Trans-Pecos Ecological Region of West Texas. The WMA was acquired through private donation in 1985 for the purpose of conservation of desert bighorn sheep and large game animals, wildlife-oriented research, and other compatible recreational uses, including public hunting. Elephant Mountain, the prominent feature, sits 6,225 feet above sea level and extends from the northern to southern property boundaries. The WMA is designated as a wildlife research and demonstration area and provides a source of desert bighorn broodstock for transplanting to stocking locations.

Acquisition of this tract would provide space for bighorn sheep to be quarantined and tested prior to translocations, as well as space for additional research, with sufficient separation from the WMA.

III.   Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

“The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission authorizes the Executive Director to take all necessary steps to acquire from a willing seller approximately 50 acres at the Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area.”

1. Exhibit A – Location Map
2. Exhibit B – Vicinity Map
3. Exhibit C – Site Map of Proposed Acquisition
4. Exhibit C – Property Map of Proposed Acquisition

Commission Agenda Item No 4
Exhibit A

Location Map for the Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area
Brewster County

Commission Agenda Item No. 4
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map for the Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area
Approximately 30 Miles South of Alpine

Commission Agenda Item No. 4
Exhibit C

Site Map of Proposed Acquisition
Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area Outlined in Red
Subject Tract Outlined in Yellow

Commission Agenda Item No. 4
Exhibit D

Property Map of Proposed Acquisition
Subject Tract Outlined in Yellow